It's unlikely the servicewill ever respond given extratime; thereforewaiting an additional 270 seconds before timing out the request is probablyunnecessary.
The players involved of course are the 5 players that recently were penalized by the NCAA for receiving extra benefits, and the reason why this matter has exploded is largely due to the timing of when the penalties are to take effect.
In a quirk of timing, the play's multiple references to a new Pope have been given extra resonance by recent events in the Vatican after Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.